SUMMER!!!! After a tiresome month of exams and assignments, everything was finally over!! My study life is done! So a friend of mine planned to go on a eurotrip (not from the movie!). We went to three countries; France, Spain and Portugal. We spend most of the time in Spain because that was our initial planning. We actually planned for a beach trip hence the cities are mostly near to the coast.
However, due to some once in a lifetime event, my friend couldn't go to France with me, so I found another friend to go with. I felt absolutely bad to ask her as a replacement but she enjoyed her 5 days in the sun, sand and sea and definitely boys. During my 5 days in Nice, we spend most of the time chilling at the beach, sunbathing and just exploring the little town. Somehow we were lucky to have stayed for the 'longest day in summer' which falls on 22 June, which is also consider as the hottest day in summer or the first day of summer.
We dance, enjoyed and smoked. At the end, I was slightly mad because my friend wanted to bring the guy back to our hostel which I think is not a good idea. At the end, we parted where she stayed another day in Nice and I left for Spain.
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| back alley of Nice |
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| one of the museum around Nice |
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| fail jumpshot haha |
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| the beautiful clear blue sea |
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| I just love this view! |
So, my next destination was Barcelona! I took a plane from Nice which lasted about 3 hours and guess what? While I was staying in Nice, there was a japanese roomate who traveled alone and I happened to sit beside her during the journey to Barca. What a coincidence! We parted as we reach and I finally found my way to the hostel. On my way there, I ask a local to guide me, however as soon as I enter the hostel, she ask for money, I feel bad and wouldn't want to give as she ask for 5Euro. Finally I gave in and felt I was cheated. That night gave me a bad first impression of Spain and I try to not let this matter get in my journey.
Barcelona is a beautiful city of amazing architecture buildings and their artworks are incredible too. (I am bad at describing with those strong vocabulary). Okay pictures will tell the story. Most of the time, our dinner is paella (a famous dish in Spain with a big flat wok of fried rice with whatever flavour you prefer). Google it to find out more. It is delicious! We stayed in Barca for 3 days.
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| One of Antoni Gaudi's creation- Sagrada Familia. |
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| This look really funny |
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| I come in peace! |
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| Another creation of Antoni Gaudi. |
The next city was Granada, we only went for a day to visit the famous Alhambra Palace. This is so famous that the ticket is pricey and there is time period to enter each different zone. Anyway, it was really worth it as the architecture was a breathtaking masterpiece and brings out so much culture and history of Spain. After the tour, we did a quick run to the train station to catch the train to Seville.
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| I think this is the entrance to Alhambra Palace |
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| From near to far |
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| Add caption |
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| One of the buildings |
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| the ceiling even look incredible |
I wouldn't really know what is in Seville. We just explore around town and enter another small Alhambra Palace, I think it is similar because of the same architecture and design but said to be different as well. As far as I remember, it was a very very VERY hot day. The heat was intense that just a 5 minutes walk, I'll be sweating as a pig. Luckily we didn't stay long. Also, not forgetting my first sight of a Flamenco dance. I would never have expected to see it live with my own eyes. It was fast and loud and intense and I couldn't stop cheering at the end of the dance.
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| reflection shot |
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| flamenco dance (sorry for bad quality) |
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| one of the church in Seville |
The final trip in Spain is Valencia, where paella and horchata was founded. Horchata is some sort of a bean drink that the bean is only found in Seville. Again, google it! The first day we did our own sightseeing around town and went to their aquarium and some famous sites. The next day, my friend's friend was our tour guide for a day and her father treat us to a delicious lunch . I couldn't thank her father enough! Gracias mille!! I didn't take much picture as she guide me but it was still a fantastic day.
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| Olden day triangle house |
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| Bird cage |
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| BOO!! |
We left Spain the next day and continue our journey to Portugal. Since we didn't spend much on sea but much rather on land, we chose to spend at least one day in the sea in Lagos. In the beginning we spend a extra cash on a short trip by kayaking to view the Grotto surrounding the sea. However due to my seasickness (I never knew I had), the kayaking was cut short and we had to return to shore. I felt awful for my friend because of me, she couldn't kayak further. Anyway, night came and we went clubbing! I was psyched because we finally manage to drink and rave, but again I think I still have the seasickness spell in me and I started to vomit uncontrollably right after one drink of cocktail. Again I felt bad but I keep throwing out at almost everywhere.
The next day, I felt better and we found the amazing spot for swimming and we didn't even intend to leave. It was so gorgeous and clear and cool and clean I felt I was in a dream! Lagos is the best beach I have ever seen! Unfortunately, we had to part for Portugal because we had book the train ticket. So we left beautiful Lagos and arrived in noisy, rushing and busy city of Lisbon. I only had a night there while my friend stayed for two days.
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| the water is soooo clear! |
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| sea, sky and cliff LOL |
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| soft white sand |
In Lisbon, we tour around the city with those tourbus. Finally I end the long trip by rushing to the airport to return to Bristol. My first time of running in the airport to catch my flight! It was an amazing, memorable 16 days trip. Though there are ups and down between my two friends, I still wouldn't have ask for anyone else to go with me.
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| Santa Justa Lift |
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| art museum |
Thank you Xueqi and Kai Chang! Thanks for the wonderful eurotrip!
xoxo
luv sapphirejest
